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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSenate begins long day with skirmish
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The 30th day of the 2007 Legislative session kicked with off with a political skirmish in the Senate between metro Atlanta’s Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
Several Democrats raised concerns about two measures that were not expected to create debate. Yet, the Senate spent about 30 minutes arguing over the proposals - before taking up the main calendar, which is jam-packed with nearly 70 bills.
Today is “cross-over day” in the General Assembly, the legislative deadline for a bill to pass one chamber. Lawmakers are expected to work late into the evening debating and voting on a crush of legislation.
SB 306, sponsored by Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), creates a Fulton County Water Authority. Several lawmakers, including Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) and Sen. Horacena Tate (D-Atlanta), said they did not have enough time to review the bill. The proposal would take the water and sewage distribution and treatment services handled by the city of Atlanta and Fulton County and turn it over to a new authority.
“It is going to ruin the city’s water system,” Sen.Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) said after the vote. “It will take away $70 million from the city of Atlanta. It’s not good for the city, or ultimately,the region.”
The measure passed 32-24, and heads to the House.
SB 312, also sponsored by Shafer, would give Fulton County Superior Court judges a raise. Sen. Fort said he did not think judges wanted such a back-door approach to pay raises. That measure also passed and heads to the House for consideration.
A few minutes later in the morning, the Senate approved several non-controversial resolutions, including: SR 47: Expresses profound regret for Georgia’s participation in eugenics; SR 270: Urges the Capitol Arts Standards Commission to authorize the placement of a statue honoring former governor and U.S. Sen. Zell Miller on the Capitol grounds; SR 246: Creates a Joint Study Committee to review and offer recommendations to improve the state’s indigent defense system, which is facing a funding crisis; and SR 355: Creates a Joint Study Committee to look at overhauling the state’s Medicaid program.
Author=Sonji Jacobs
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By adamsmith4883
March 27, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
So, when are we going to see coverage of the mid-year budget “debate” in the House? Talk about a skirmish…
By Bill Kecskes
March 27, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
To: Adam Smith - I doubt you will ever see any debate - in fact, the House is trying to “hide” the contents of HB 94 - mid-year Supplemental Appropriations Bill because it contains so much pork and waste - let’s start with $35,000 to Dooly County for improving the Big Pig Jig Site. Do you think the House is going to debate the merits of the Big Pig Jig Site? Nope - all of this pork and waste will be secretly dashed through both chambers somewhere around 11:30PM on Day #40. The losers here: Georgia taxpayers!